Brake apparatus



H. T. LAMBERT Dec. 8, 1936.

BRAKE APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 28, 1935 EN NN ow QN H. T.LAMBERT BRAKE APPARATUS Filed March 28) 1955 3 Sheets-Shet 2 nur l W fm-A A mh. 5 lm 1W...

N 315515554451/ v v A l .n f

H. T. LAMBERT BRAKE APPARATUS Dec. 8, 1936.

` Filed March 28, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 A mm. 90 bm.

Patented Dec. 8, 19,36

UNITI-:D STATES PATENT QFFICE s.

Application March 28,

l Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in brake mechanism of the typepopularly employed on vehicle wheels, such as automobile wheels, andmore particularly to the type wherein a prime actuator imparts aninitial braking thrust that results in an accentuated braking thrustunder the momentum or force of rotation of the wheel.

An essential object in view is the provision of means enablingemployment of hydraulic medium for imparting the initial thrust, and afurther object' is the avoidance of leakage of the hydraulic medium.

A more detailed object is the provision for facility of access forcharging or draining the conduits for the hydraulic medium.

Another object in view is the impartation of an initial thrust havingits stress uniformly distributed throughout the braking part to thethrust.

2 A further object is the impartation of an-initial thrust to a brakingpart sufficient for certain braking purposes where the supplemental orpower braking thrust is not caused to function in the absence ofsufficient traction.

With these and other objects in View as will in part hereinafter becomeapparent and in part be stated, the invention comprises certain novelconstructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts as will Vbehereinafter pointed out and subsequently claimed.

More specifically, the invention includes means i for hydraulicallyactuating a braking part or plate as the initial braking stroke thereof,and the invention further includes means for distributing the stress ofsuch initial stroke uniformly throughout the braking part.` v

In greater detail, the invention includes, in combination with a brakingplate or part, acylinder and'piston, and meansfor supplying the 40cylinder with hydraulic medium under' pressure for thrusting the piston,the piston engaging the braking part for imparting the initial thrustthereto.

, The invention still further includes such a structural arrangementwherein the piston and cylinder are annular.

In still greater detail, the invention includes in such a mechanism asjust mentioned flexible means in the cylinder and engaging the pistonvention still further includes as such flexible means a gasket havingcircumferential, marginal 55 medium.

subjected for preventing leakage therebetween, and the in 1935, SerialNo. 13,555

(Cl. 18S-72) In the accompanying drawings,-

Figure l is a front elevation of a wheel structure embodying th-efeatures of the present invention, the power spider being broken awayand parts seen in fragmentary section.

Figure 2 is a vertical section therethrough substantially taken on theline 2--2 of Figure 1 in the plane of the axis of rotation thereof,parts being seen in elevation.

Figure 3 is an enlarged, detailed, fragmentary 10 section taken on theplane indicated by line 3--3 of Figure l, .and showing one of theenergizing rollers.

Figures 4 and 5 are respectively views similar `to Figures l and'2 of a.somewhat modified em- 15 bodiment of the invention, the power spiderbeing seen.

Figure 6 is a vertical section through a brake mechanism incorporating afurther slightly modified embodiment and shown applied to the hub 20 ofa dirigible wheel such asv the front wheel of an automobile, a fragmentof the front axle being seen partly in section and partly in elevation.

Figure 7 is a View similar to Figure 2 of another embodiment of theinvention shown applied to the inner face of the wheel.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, I indicates a'wheel carrying anywell known or appropriate demountable rim 2 and having a hub 3 journaledon the hub portion 4 of the dead 30 axle or tubular axle 5.

Outstanding axially from and effectively xed to the wheel'l are guideand power pins 6. The pins 6 may, of course, be fixed to wheel I by anyof various methods, one desirable means of anchorage consisting of athreaded portion 'I on the pin 6 threaded through the wheel I and thenswaged up at the inner face of the wheel to form a head 8. Outward ofthe wheel I a circumferential flange 9 is preferably formed integralwith 40 the pin 6 and outstands to abut against the face of the wheel I.

` Fixed to the outer end of the hub-portion 4 is a stationary brakingplate or disc I 0, and the means of anchorage of the plate Il) to thehub il may, of course, be varied, one appropriate .form consisting of-bolts Il extending from the outer ,face of plate II) through the plateand threaded axially into the hub 4. Outward of plate I0 is arranged therotary braking disc or ring I2, and outward of the said'ring I2 islocated the outer braking disc I3. Between the disc I0 and ring I2, andbetween ring I2 and disc I3, are arranged the usual or any appropriatebrake linings I4 for taking up wear and facilitating replacement. 551

While each of the parts I0, I2, and I3 is frequently popularly referredto as a disc, each is in fact an annulus.

The ring or disc I2 is xed to rotate with the wheel I, but arranged toslide in an axial direction to adjust itself relative to the two brakediscs Il) and I3, and, to this end, the ring I2 is provided withoutstanding lugs I5 each provided with an aperture accommodating thepassage of a pin 6, so that each lug I5 forms a guide ring slidinglymounted on the respective pin 6, whereby the ring I2 is carried with-thewheel I during rotation, but is left free to have its sliding movement.

The disc I3 is free to move axially, but is held against any substantialangular or rotative movement, though left free for a slight angularmovement for enabling it to receive a power delivered braking thrustafter the manner taught by the invention setn forth in my co-pendingapplication Serial No. 716,401,1i1ed March 19, 1934. Outward of theouter face of disc I3 is located an annular energizing or power plate I6which is i'lxed against outward axial movement and againstcircumferential movement, preferably after the manner taught in my saidco-pending application. To accomplish the mounting of the parts asstated, axially outstanding bolts Il, I l are iixed to the disc III, andproject through the disc I3 and are anchored to the plate It, or atleast so connected as to preclude axial outward movement of the plate.The method of anchorage of bolts I'II to disc Iii is, of course,susceptible of a wide range of variation, but preferably consists ofsubstantially the same `form of connection as provided for the pins Ilin their anchorage to wheel I. The disc I3 is formed with an arcuateslot or elongated hole It for each of the bolts Il through which therespective bolt extends, the slot being of the Width of the respectivebolt but of a length suilicient to allow the disc I3 to move angularlyfor a short distance. A few degrees of such movement is amplefor theimpartation of the power thrust which is accomplished by the moving ofwedging members between the disc I3 and the plate IIS incident to theangular movement of the disc I3. A specific embodiment of theconstruction and arrangement for such wedging members is seen in myco-pending application executed and led oneven dates herewith and shownin enlarged detail in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings. Each of theparts I3 and It is provided with a series of recesses I9 circular incross section and of a depth to snugly receive and accommodate a disc20. Each disc 20 is preferably of hardened material, such as hardenedtool steel, or case-hardened steel, and each is provided with a groove2I facing the corresponding groove of the other disc, the discs beingarranged in opposing pairs in the sockets or recesses I9, whereby 'aspace is provided for the accommodation of a roller 22 between the discsWithin the said grooves. rest against inclined faces of grooves 2|, andare adapted to ride along said faces when the disc I3 is shiftedangularly. Hence with such angular shifting of the disc or brake plateI3 the rollers 22 act as wedges to relatively spread or push apart theparts I3 and I6 with respect to each other, and since the part I6 isheld against outward movement, the brake disc I3 is thereby thrustinward under the wedging power of the rollers 22.

The elongated holes I8 for the bolts I 1 are of a length and location(that is extend 9T! all BTC Thus, the rollers 22 struck from the axis ofangular movement of disc I3) to permit the slight anguluar shifting ofdisc I3 to eect the said wedging or power thrust, and each of said slotsis of a width approximately equal or slightly greater than the width ofthe bolt which passes through it so as to preclude tendency towardtransverse axial play or canting on the part of the disc I3, whileallowing the disc entire freedom for its angular shifting or partialrotative movement.

The outer end of each bolt Il is engaged by a nut 23 which is threadedto contact with the outei1 face of and serves to prevent outwardmovement of the energizing or power plate I6. Ordinarily, it would notbe essential that the plate I6 be held against inward movement, sinceall of the stresses to which that plate is subjected are outward, butbecause of the desirability to maintain alinement of ports, ashereinafter described, it is preferable to provide at least one of thebolts I'I with a nut 24 threaded onto the bolt to a position to contactwith the inner face of plate I6. Each of the bolts I'I may be providedwith such a nut, but ordinarily one nut 24 will serve suiliciently forthe intended purpose. In assembling the parts, the nut 24 is firstapplied and then the plate I3 placed on the several bolts I'I, and thennuts 23 applied and screwed up to the place where the plate I6 isclamped rmly against the nut 2G. The nut 2d may be, as seen in Figure 2,provided with a cushioning gasket 2t at its outer face to render moreeffective a firm seating of plate It. Where the nut 24 is applied, theelongated hole I8 is preferably proportionally enlarged in width andlength to accommodate the nut and permit play of the plate angularlynotwithstanding the presence of the nut.

Plate I6 is preferably provided with an integral, inwardly-extending,sleeve-like collar or annular boss 25 concentric to the live axle whichit surrounds, but which is omitted from Figure 2. The collar 25 extendsinward and is telescoped into the braking disc I3, the bore or centralopening of which disc is proportioned to snugly receive the collar 25for allowing lateral shifting and angular movement on the collar, butthe contact is otherwise as close as practicable, such as is producedbythe formation of a ground joint connection. This is for the .purpose ofpreventing leakage, as will become apparent. The collar 25 may, ofcourse, be otherwise formed and otherwise fixed to the plate I6 than bybeing formed integral. The plate I6 immediately outward of the collar 25is formed with a circumferential groove 26, the walls of which includesa part of the collar 25 and which constitutes an annular cylinder intowhich projects an outstanding, annular boss 2l from the outer face ofthe disc I3, the said boss 2'1 thus constituting an annular pistonreciprocal within the groove or cylinder 26. Within said groove orcylinder outward of and in face contact with the outer face of piston 21is a sealing gasket 28. The said gasket 28 may be anchored to thecontacting face of piston 2'I in any appropriate manner, as by beingcemented thereto. The gasket is of exible material,.preferably flexiblerubber, and, as seen in Figure 2, is preferably channel shaped with thechannel opening outward so that the margins of the gasket are angedoutwardly with the anges resting against the side Walls of the cylinder26. The said gasket thus effectively seals the joint between the saidcylinder and the piston 21 and prevents leakage therebetween. One oi thebolts I "I, preferably the uppermost one,

, accompanying drawings.

tacting parts.

and at least one that is provided with a nut 24, is formed with alongitudinal port 29 and a transverse port 30 extending across andcommunicating with the port 29. 'Ihe plate I6 is alsoformed with a port3| leading into the groove or cylinder 26 at one end and at anintermediate point communicating with the port 30. The outer or upperend portion of the port 3l opens through the periphery of the plate I6,and is enlarged and threaded to receive a threaded plug 32 for closingand sealing the port. The port 29 extendsto the outer end of the bolt I1and has its outer end portion outward of port 3l) enlarged and threadedand closed and sealed by a threaded plug 33. A lock nut or other likesafety device 34 engages the outer end portion of the threaded plug 33for jambing the parts and preventing accidental or undesired looseningor backing oi of the plug 33. Plug 32 may be similarly, or in anypreferred manner, locked against accidental loosening. 'I'he plate ordisc Ill is formed with a. radial port 35 intersecting and communicatingwith port 29, and the outer end portion of port 35 is preferably sealedwith any appropriate plug 3E. The inner end portion of port 35 ispreferably turned abruptly at an angle to open through the inner face ofdisc Il) and there communicates with a 'port 31 extending in an axial'direction along and within the hub 4. The meeting ends of the ports 35and 31 are sealed in communication with each other and against lateralleakage at the joint between hub 4 and disc Iby a gasket 33 preferablyseated in appropriate rabbets formed in the Irespective con- The innerend portion of the port 31 is upturned and extends radially through thehubA 4 to the outer surface thereof and s enlarged and threaded andengaged by a threaded tubular nipple 39 carrying a hydraulic mediumsupply tube 40. The tube 40 may lead from any appropriate source ofsupply, such as the customary master cylinder whose hydraulic mediumsupply is projected by a stroke commonly effected by movement of apedal. Of course, the source and means of forcing the ,hydraulic mediumthrough the tube 40 may be varied without in any sense varying theconstruction and operation of the parts comprising the presentinvention. It will be particularly notedthat all of the ports 29, 3l,35, and 31 are so located in the respective parts in which they appearthat they can be readily 'produced by a boring operation before theparts are assembled.

Details of the operation of the discs 23 and the cooperation of therollers 22 with respect thereto, whereby cylindrical rollers areeffectively employed as distinguished from tapered or conical rollers,is set forth in my above-mentioned copending application i'lled evendate herewith. Also, it will be readily understood that a live axleextends through the dead axle and hub 4, and is connected by aspider 4Ito the pins 6, the major portion of the spider being omitted and onlyfragments thereof being seen in Figures 1 and 2. Nuts 54 on pins 5retain the spider 4I 'in engagement with the wheel I A complete spiderof this type is disclosed in Figures 4': and 5 of the It will beunderstood, of course, that an axial. inward thrust of disc I3 causes4the disc to have a braking contact with the disc or ring I2, and causesthe said disc or ring I2 to shift to braking contact with the brakingdisc III, and when the disc I3 is released the parts move apart to anon- .braking relation. '.To insure such movement, a

coiled spring 42 is interposed between discs I3 and I3 and tensioned tospread the discs so that the disc I3 is moved outward away from brakingcontact whenever freed. 'I'he operation may be briefly stated asfollows:`

If the parts are not in motion and an impulse is imparted to thehydraulic medium with which the tube 40 and ports 31,35, 29, and 3i andcylinder 26 are iilled tending to crowd more of such medium into thecylinder 23, the piston 21 is caused thereby to move inward, and thedisc i3 caused to have a `braking engagement with the brake ring I2.Under some circumstances, this braking action is all that is desired orrequired. Where the parts are in motion and the traction of the wheel Iis normal, or approximately so, and such an impulse is imparted to thehydraulic medium, the lateral thrust orinitial movement of the disc I3in causing braking action also causes thedisc to be picked up incidentto the 1'rotative movement of the brake ring I2 and moved angularlytherewith within the limits of the slots I8. A very slight angularmovement of this kind is all that is required to cause the rollers 22.to ride lalongthe relatively opposed inclined faces of discs 2U and tothereby crowd or thrust the disc I3 inward with a power strokeincreasing the braking action in proportion to the extent to which thediscl I3 is thus thrust inward. Of course, the impulse and stress on thehydraulic medium in the cylinder 2B must be continued and maintained tomaintain the power stroke. When it is no longer desired to eiect thelbraking action, release of the stress on` the said hydraulic mediumwill enable the spring 42 to thrust the disc I3 outward and thus causeSuch separation of ring I2 lfrom the discl3 and from the disc Ill asrelieves all braking action. Of course, this return movement isaccompanied by a proportional return movement of the hydraulic medium tothe master cylinder or other source of supply.

In Figures 4 and 5 is illustrated the same details of construction asshown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 and described above with the exception ofthe method of mounting the demountable rim which is not material, andthe further exception that' the hydraulic medium delivery means ismodified. Accordingly, the same reference numerals have been applied asfar as applicable and the same description will apply to Figures 4 and5. It will be seen in these figures that the spider 4I is provided witha sleeve 43 cone-fitted onto the hub of the live axle 44 and keyedthereto by an ap- .propriate key 45, and also secured by the retainingnut 46 threaded-onto thel outer end of said plug 32', the inner endcommunicating with the` cylinder 26. l A tubular pin 41 extendstransversely through the energizing plate or power disc I6 and isclamped in place by a nut 48 threaded onto the outer end of the pin, thepin being provided at-an intermediate portion with a circumferentialflange 49 seated against the inner face of the plate I G, whereby thepin 41 is clamped in position in its engagement with the plate to 'sealthe fluid therein. A port 50 is formed axially of the pin 41 and opensat the inner end of the pin, and also opens at its outer end incommunication with a cross port 5| whlchis interposed in the length ofand in communication with the port 3|. A preferably metal tube 52, such,for instance, as copper, extends into the inner end portion of the pin41 and iswelded, sweated, or otherwise effectively anchored therein bothfor fixing the parts together and for precluding leakage therebetween.The tube 52, of course, is sufficiently flexible to be bent as requiredfor introduction and accommodation of adjacent parts. The hub ofthe-wheel and the inner disc I are formed with a continuous passageway53 for accommodating the tube 52.

'I'he operation of the parts is the same as that above describedfthedifference in structural details above stated being the differencebetween the embodiment of the invention as seen in Figures 4 and 5 andthat seen in Figures 1, 2, and 3. Other slight modification of detail instructural formation, such as the type of hub for the dead axle 4 andthe contour of the pins 6, is not considered a variation since notdirectly related to or modifying the structure or operation of thecombination incorporating the invention.

In Figure 6 is seen practically the same identical structure, so far asthe present invention is concerned, as that seen in Figures 4 and 5, but

' the invention is shown as applied to a dirigible wheel, such as thefront wheel of an automobile, Where the solid axle 55 is swivelled at 56to the hub 3 having the steering link connection eye 51. The parts beingotherwise the same as those described with respect to Figure 5, the samereference numerals have been applied and the same description equallyappliesyexcept that the pin l1 clamped to the power plate I6 is shown asintegral and continuous Aof the tube 52, which is not considered adeparture from the structural formation where ,the parts are weldedtogether, as seen in Figure A1. Also, it should be understood that whilethe pin 41 is not shown with a longitudinal port extending entirely tothe outer end, the port may be so extended, as seen in Figure 6, and aremovably threaded plug 33 locked by a nut 34' may be provided tocorrespond with the similar structure in Figure 2. It will be readilyunderstood that the plugs 33 or 33 and the plug 32 are removable for`cleanout purposes and for draining or charging additional hydraulicmedium into the system when and as desired.

In Figure '1 is seen the same embodiment of the invention as illustratedin Figure 2 except that it is applied to a slightly different type ofwheel and arranged at the inner face of the wheel instead of at theouter face thereof, so that in lieu of the guiding pins 6 a brake drum58 slidihgly carries the rotative brake ring substantially after themanner shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive of my co-pending applicationSerial No.

716,401, reference to which is made for details of the wheelconstruction and mounting of the brake ring on the drum. The said drum58 constitutes the main body of. the wheel to which the rim 59 isdemountably connected after the manner set forth in my last-namedco-pending application. The-drum and anchoring flange portion of the rimare apertured at 60 to afford ready access to the threaded plug 33. Thebalance of the parts of the structure embodying the invention as seen inFigure 7, being identically the same as those shown and described withreference to Figure 2, the same description is applicablev and the samereference numerals have been applied to Figure '1.

What is claimed is: 1. In brake mechanism, the combination of a fmovable brake part, a stationary part, one of said parts having anannular boss constituting a piston and the other of said parts having anannular recess in which said piston is received constituting a cylinder,means for introducing hydraulic medium under pressure therebetween fordelivering pressure uniformly directly to and throughout the brake partexerted in a direction for moving the brake part for a brakingapplication thereof, and mechanical means cooperating with `the partsaforesaid for imparting additional braking pressure initiated by saidhydraulic means.

2. 'I'he combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein the braking part is abrake disc movable axially and rotatively and the pressure deliveringmeans includes a conduit leading to the cylinder and disposed so as todeliver an axial thrust to said brake part with the pressure distributeduniformly throughout a circle concentric to the periphery of the disc.

3. In brake mechanism, the combination of a brake disc, a stationaryenergizing plate, said disc and plate having overlapping interengagingparts whereby one of said parts is mounted for movement upon the other,means between said plate and disc for imparting a power thrust axiallyand rotatively to said disc incident to an initial movement of the disc,and hydraulic means for `imparting the said initial movement to thedisc.

4. The combination as claimed in claim 3 wherein the hydraulic meansincludes a cylinder and piston, one carried by the disc and the other bythe plate, and means for delivering hydraulic medium under pressure tothe piston for imparting the initial movement to the disc.

5. In brake mechanism, the combination of an axially and rotativelymovable braking disc having a central passageway, an energizing platerelatively fixed and having a. disc supporting collar extending into andslidingly engaged by the surface of the passageway ofthe disc, meanscoacting with the braking disc and energizing plate for effectingrotative movement of the disc and hydraulic means acting along saidcollar against said disc and reacting against said plate for controllingthe braking movement of the disc by said last-named means.

6. The combination as claimed in claim 5-with means sealing the jointbetween the collar and the engaged portions of the disc for precludingleakage therebetween during rotary and axial movement of the disc.

1. 'I'he combination as claimed in claim 5 with a gasket surrounding thecollar and engaged by the disc for preventing leakage between the disc land collar.

8. The combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein the energizing plate isformed with a groove outward of the collar to provide an annularcylinder to receive the hydraulic medium,

of the disc, and hydraulic means for imparting an initial brakingmovement to said disc.

10. In brake mechanism, the combination of a rotative brake ring, abraking disc movable laterally into and out of braking contact with saidring and adapted to be moved angularly with the ring incidentto aninitial braking movement of said disc into engagement with the ring, anda relatively fixed energizing plate cooperating with the disc and havingsupporting means extending therefrom on' which the\disc is freelymounted, of means between the disc and plate for imparting a powerbraking thrust to the disc incident to angular movement of the disc, andhydraulic means acting between the plate and disc for imparting theinitial braking movement to the disc.

11. In brake mechanism, the combination of a movable brake part, astationary part, means for introducing hydraulic medium under pressuretherebetween for delivering pressure uniformly directly to andthroughout the brake part exerted in a direction for moving the brakepart for a braking application thereof, said pressure delivering meanscomprising an annular cylinder and an annular Vpiston operating therein,and mechanical means cooperating with the parts aforesaid for impartingadditional braking pressure initiated by said hydraulic means, saidmechanical means including uniformly spaced rollers and cammingsurfaces,

12. In brake mechanism, the combination of a movable brake part, astationary part, means for introducing hydraulic medium under pressuretherebetween for delivering pressure uniformly directly to` andthroughout the brake part exerted ina direction for moving the brakepart for a braking application thereof, said pressure delivering meanscomprising an annular cylinder, an annular piston operating therein, andan annular gasket, engaging the end of the pistonand bridging the spaceof the cylinder, and mechanical means cooperating with the partsaforesaid for imparting additional -braking pressure initiated by saidhydraulic means.

13. In brake mechanism, the combination of a movable brake part, astationary part, means for introducing hydraulic medium under pressuretherebetween for delivering pressure uniformly directly to andthroughout the brake part exerted in a direction for moving the brakepart for a braking application thereof, said pressure delivering meanscomprising an annular cylinder,

an annular piston operating therein, and an an- 14. In brake mechanism,the combination of a movable brake part, a stationary part, means for 1introducing hydraulic medium under pressure therebetween for deliveringpressure uniformly directly to and throughout the brake part exerted ina direction for moving the brake part for a braking application thereof,said pressure delivering means comprising an annular cylinder, anannular piston operating therein, and an annular gasket engaging the endof the piston and bridging the space of the cylinder, said gasket beingformed of elastic material and being chan- V nel-shaped with the channelfacing away from the piston, and mechanical means cooperating with theparts aforesaid for imparting additional braking pressure initiated bysaid hydraulic means.

l5. In brake mechanism, the combination of a movable brake part. astationary part, means for introducing hydraulic medium under pressuretherebetween for delivering pressure uniformly directly to andthroughout the brake part exerted in a direction for moving the brakepart for a braking application thereof. said pressure delivering meanscomprising an annular cylinder, an annular piston operating therein, anannular gasket engaging the end of the piston and bridg- 'ing the spaceof the cylinder, said gasket being formed of elastic `material and beingchannelshaped with the' sides of the channel facing away from the pistonand providing flanges engaging the side walls of the'cylinder, andmechanical means cooperating with the parts aforesaid for impartingadditional braking pressure initiated by said hydraulic means.

HOMER T. LAMBERT.

